Tampa Bay Storm

TAMPA BAY -- Quarterback Erick Meyer passed for seven touchdowns to lead Spokane (11-4, 4-2) over the Tampa Bay Storm (7-8, 2-3), 63-49, but it was the Shock’ defense that carried the team in the second half. Spokane held the Storm to two touchdowns and 14 points in the final periods in the Arena Football League game on the Amalie Oil Field Saturday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Quarterback Randy Hippeard passed for six touchdowns, three of which were caught by receiver Joe Hills.

Hippeard led the offense in the first half, passing for four touchdowns, two of them to Hills. Hippeard, filling in for starter Adrian McPherson, connected on 10 of 16 for 112 yards. He also ran for one touchdown, a 1 yard run that put the Storm ahead, 35-21, with 16 seconds left in the second period.

The Tampa Bay Storm travel to San Antonio next week (Saturday, July 13) for a cross-conference game against the Western Division Talons. Game time is 8:30 p.m. (EDT) with the game being broadcast on radio 1250 AM (WHNZ) in Tampa. The final home game, of the regular season, for the Storm will be Saturday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m. on the Amalie Motor Oil Field in the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The Storm winds up the regular season on Saturday, July 27, at Jacksonville with a 7 p.m. game against American Conference and Southern Division rival Sharks. Jacksonville has led the division throughout the season and the Storm will be looking to revenge an opening-season, 64-55, loss to the Sharks.